The World 0-100-0 and SS quarter mile production car champion

July 6, 2006 A week ago we ran a story about the complete dominance of Autocar’s annual 0-100-0 mph comparison test by the world’s most powerful, most expensive and fastest automobile, the Bugatti Veyron with its remarkable numbers being 987 bhp, US$1.6 million, 406km/h and thanks to the AutoCar test, 9.9 seconds for the sprint to 100 mph and back to rest. What AutoCar failed to do, and what we failed to mention, was that it had omitted the world record holder for the 0-100-0 journey, the British built and designed US$130,000 Ultima GTR road car. The 720 horsepower 990 kilogram Ultima is built in small numbers, but we thought it sporting that we should set the record straight, on account of the Ultima having twice broken its own 0-100-0 world record which now stands at 9.4 seconds set on June 1, 2006, half a second quicker than the Bugatti. To cap it off, the car set a standing quarter time of 9.941 seconds on June 9 (with a terminal speed of 143mph), making it the fastest production road car over that distance too. And just to prove it was driven to and from the track, that's Richard picking up his maccas on the way home from the world record.

Driven to the 0-100-0 record by Ultima Director, Richard Marlow, the GTR hits 60mph in 2.6 secs, 100mph in 5.3 secs and then brakes to zero from 100mph in just 3.6 secs, which are all in themselves road car world record times.

The Ultima GTR720 used in the attempt was fully road legal, road tyred and equipped with a standard 5 speed G50 transmission and a standard production engine option from Ultima’s official OE engine suppliers American Speed. No traction control devices or ABS braking aids were used.

Ultima director Richard Marlow commented, “ We always knew that the Ultima was more than capable of achieving performance figures of this caliber. There is no other supercar in history which can match the pace of the Ultima GTR in this discipline. Furthermore the GTR720 is available at a fraction of the price of all other supercars and is also fantastic to drive at more sedate road speeds with its road friendly engine. It is currently being used as my daily driver in all weather conditions. I expect with these latest officially verified world records for the Ultima GTR to retain its title for a long time into the future as the fastest accelerating and decelerating supercar of all time. Along with all of our other previous world records we have achieved over the past couple of years, this is a superb showcase to officially demonstrate to the world just what the Ultima is capable of achieving and we have gained unprecedented worldwide automotive recognition and respect for our marque in the process”.

Ted Marlow commented, “ Quite frankly the Ultima has opened up a new league of road car performance with these new independently verified figures. The Ultima GTR with its superior power to weight ratio is now over two seconds quicker from 0-100mph-0 than the £750,000 McLaren F1 LM, and over one and a half seconds quicker than the £450,000 Ferrari Enzo. What’s more the GTR720 performed these world beating statistics consistently and reliably time after time. The mind boggling 30-70mph time of just 1.8 seconds is further proof that the Ultima is so far ahead of any other car in terms of outright performance.

This new catalogue of Ultima world records was once again strictly conducted, overseen and verified by an official from “Datron Technology” who are acknowledged by the Guinness Book of Records as official timekeepers. The use of their official Microsat GPS timing equipment which is based on incorruptible data provides proof of the Ultima times.

The Ultima GTR720 used for these records which is a company demonstrator was driven to and from the test venue and eight days later, it did it all again when it ran the quarter mile time.

It was fitted with a 720bhp Chevrolet V8 engine from the OE engine suppliers American Speed, a standard 5-speed G50 transmission and road tyres. The GTR720 was pitched against a standard 345bhp Corvette C5, which doubled as a camera car to help demonstrate the mind-boggling performance of the GTR720, compared to other recognized fast road cars. The Santa Pod drag strip was utilized as it has the fully sanctioned FIA approved timing equipment rather than the less than accurate timing methods used at some speed events.

Finally, just a note to clarify the pricing on the GTR720. Fully built at the factory, it costs GBP£72,000 (US$132,000), but with self assembly it costs GBP£45,000 (US$82,000)

After Editing or Managing over 50 print publications primarily in the role of a Magazine Doctor, Mike embraced the internet full-time in 1995 and became a "start-up all-rounder" – quite a few start-ups later, he founded Gizmag in 2002. Now he can write again. All articles by Mike Hanlon